CESS believes effective Policy Advocacy is an ethical responsibility and helps to correct the social challenges that hinder the growth of the society. As a committed Research Organization, we believe that there is a big role to play in the appraisal and implementation of Public Policies in the Education and health arena, to promote an informed, healthy and strong democratic society. We work to gain access and voice our opinion on the policies through consultations, seminars and recommendations to various Government agencies. We propose to take up studies which impacts positively in achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Major Activities organized towards Policy Advocacy:
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) had released draft regulations for the 'Academic Bank of Credits' (ABC), an initiative meant to facilitate credit transfer of students, allowing them to move across streams and higher education institutions. The academic bank of credits was a key proposal in the National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020. Following this, suggestions were taken from the respective stakeholders and the consolidated recommendations have been submitted to University Grants Commission.
- Stakeholders Consultation meeting was held in KSHEC, Bengaluru, to solicit views of the stakeholders on the Draft National Dental Commission Bill 2020. Over forty eminent domain experts participated in the meet. The feedback/comments received were submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
- To strengthen Policy Advocacy, CESS initiated a mega campaign by organizing series of discussions, colloquiums, round table discussions and symposia on Draft National Education Policy 2019.
- A Three-Day discussion meet was held on Immediately Implementable Solutions for Educational Reforms in association with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and Government of Karnataka at IISc
- Seminar on Karnataka State University Act 2009- two-day seminar was held to draw the attention of the government to relook at the Karnataka State University Act 2000. The seminar had sessions on University Concept and Jurisdiction, appointment of Authorities, Composition of University Bodies, and new vistas for the Universities, Affiliation System versus Autonomous Colleges and Inadequacies in KSUA 2000 and New Features.
- Organised a series of brainstorm session, in association with Department of Primary and Secondary Education, on Improvisation of Existing SSLC Examination Pattern in the State of Karnataka in different parts of Karnataka (Bangalore, Gulbarga, Mysore and Dharwad) to generate public and expert opinion to improvise assessment pattern of SSLC examination.
- Feedback on Draft Regulations of UGC – in response to University Grants Commission’s public notice soliciting feedback/comments from stakeholders to its Draft Regulations, CESS submitted its feedback/comments to the concerned bodies in suggesting UGC to extend the time period for feedback and also to conduct wider stakeholder consultation to reframe the draft regulations.
- Roundtable Discussion on Draft UGC (Categorization of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations- 2017 – on UGC’s public invite to share feedback, CESS conducted a round table discussion to solicit stakeholders’ views on the draft provision relating to classification of universities for granting autonomy like international collaboration, deemed University status and eligibility of candidates seeking Ph.D./M.Phil. degree.
- Revamping School Curriculum Content of Class 1 – 12 (NCERT) – On MHRD’s public invite to stakeholders to rationalize school curriculum content of Class 1 to 12 designed by NCERT, CESS convened a Roundtable discussion on Revamping School Curriculum Content of Class I and Class XII. The recommendations obtained from the stakeholders were submitted to MHRD and to Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
- Colloquium on Higher Education in the 12th Five Year Plan in association with Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) was held at Central College, Bangalore University.
- Roundtable discussion on Draft UGC (Categorization Of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2017 was conducted at RV Teachers’ College.
- Roundtable discussion on Revamping School Curriculum Content of Class 1 to Class 12 was held at CESS Office.
- Roundtable discussion on the proposed Higher Education Commission of India Act (2018) was held with Vice-Chancellors and Educational experts at Central College, Bangalore University.
